Getting ready for your baby’s delivery now that your EDD is approaching? It’s an exciting milestone you won’t forget any time soon!
That being said, there are definitely ways to make it go as smoother instead of rougher – you just have to make sure you’re prepped for it.
Among other things, you want a bag packed well ahead of your EDD and expected hospital visit. Even now, while counting down to your child’s arrival, you should get this sorted out for delivery day.
To help you out here, we’ve put together this ultimate hospital bag checklist. You’ll learn what items to bring to the hospital for delivery and your first moments with your bundle of joy!
1. Items for you
The simple rule here is to have everything that you need for your comfort and the standard hospital paperwork. That means identification, insurance cards or papers, and personal items.
Don’t forget to prepare for both the phase before the delivery and the one after, by the way. To some extent, there will be a bit of overlap here between the two.
However, some items are more likely to come in handy post-delivery. Maternity pads make up just one example. Your partner’s hardly likely to need them, no matter how sympathetic they are!
A copy of your medical records and identification documents (NRIC)
A copy of your birth plan
A credit card and some spare cash
Comfortable clothes for delivery like a bathrobe, nightgown, several sets of underwear, socks, and the like (when in doubt, pick ones easy to put and take off!)
Comfortable clothes for going home, like sweatpants or anything loose-fitting
Comfortable footwear, preferably flip-flops so you can use them in the shower
If you plan to nurse, several nursing bras
If allowed by your doctor, snacks and beverages to fortify you
Maternity pads
Your medications or glasses if you have any
Your phone and its charger
Toiletries
2. Items for the baby
Of course, the new member of your family will need some stuff too. Here’s what to pack in your hospital bag for your newborn
Comfortable clothes for going home (and a spare set, to be safe)
Socks, booties, and a hat in case the baby gets cold
Your diaper bag, which should hold both diapers and wet wipes
Swaddling or receiving blankets for the little one
Formula or breast milk and some bottles
A proper baby carrier and car seat (make sure you install this in your car ahead of time!)
3. Items for your partner
Don’t forget about your partner! A lot of the items to prepare for your partner (or even your personal birth coach) will be similar to yours. Here are the ones we’d recommend you put on your checklist.
A comfortable change of clothes (include everything from going-out clothes to sleeping-in clothes)
Food and beverages, as they’ll have to keep their energy up for the event
Toiletries such as toothpaste, deodorant, etc.
Their phone and charger
Their medication or glasses, if any
The complete hospital bag checklist for delivery
Want the full list in a form you can check off easily? Here you go!
▢ Your government-issued ID
▢ Your medical or insurance cards
▢ A copy of your medical records
▢ A copy of your birth plan
▢ Some cash and your credit card
▢ Your choice of comfy clothes for the delivery phase
▢ Your socks in case you get cold
▢ Your clothes for going home after the hospital
▢ Your comfiest slippers or flip-flops
▢ Your nursing bras, if planning on breastfeeding
▢ Your entertainment, like books and tablets
▢ Your snacks and drinks if allowed by the medical team
▢ Your lip balm to keep your lips from cracking
▢ Your maternity pads
▢ Your medications if you have any
▢ Your phone and its charger
▢ Your toiletries
▢ Two changes of clothes for your baby
▢ The baby’s socks, booties, and hat
▢ The baby’s diaper bag, with diapers and wipes
▢ Swaddling or receiving blankets
▢ The milk and bottles for the baby
▢ The infant car seat, preinstalled
▢ Your partner’s changes of clothes
▢ Your partner’s blankets
▢ Your partner’s travel pillow
▢ Your partner’s snacks and beverages
▢ Your partner’s toiletries
▢ Your partner’s entertainment, like books and tablets
▢ Your partner’s phone and charger
▢ Your partner’s medication or glasses, if any
▢ Your partner’s camera
Get more help for your parenthood journey
That should cover everything you need to bring for your visit to the hospital. Once the stork drops that bundle of joy smoothly into your lap, you’ll see why lugging all of that was worth it!
If you want more tips to help you with your journey into parenthood, please check out our other topics. We’ve compiled so many articles for our beloved mums to use, from breastfeeding tips to baby product safety standard guides.
Anyway, we wish you all the best for your delivery! May you have the newest member of your family in your arms soon!
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